Mimosa pudica, commonly known as the touch-me-not plant, is known for its leaves that fold and droop when touched.
According to the explanation, certain cells in the leaves contain fluids. The pressure of these fluids helps the leaves remain upright.
When the leaf is touched, the stem releases a type of acid. This causes the fluid nature in the cells on the lower side of the leaf to reduce, while the upper side does not lose fluid in the same way.
As a result, the weight of the upper portion makes the entire leaf bend and hang downward. This is the reason the plant’s leaves appear to “shrink” or fold on touch.
